Railhead - Softcover

Reeve, Philip

3.98

3,034 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1630790508 ISBN 13: 9781630790509

Publisher: Switch Press, 2017

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The Great Network is an ancient web of routes and gates, where sentient trains can take you anywhere in the galaxy in the blink of an eye. Zen Starling is a nobody. A petty thief from the filthy streets of Thunder City who aimlessly rides the rails of the Network. So when the mysterious stranger Raven offers Zen a chance to escape the squalor of the city and live the rest of his days in luxury, Zen can’t believe his luck. All he has to do is steal one small box from the Emperor’s train with the help of Nova, an android girl. But the Great Network is a hazardous mess of twists and turns, and that little box just might bring everything in this galaxy and the next to the end of the line. The highly anticipated novel from Carnegie-medal-winning author Philip Reeve, Railhead is a fast, immersive, and heart-pounding ride perfect for any sci-fi fan. Step aboard -- the universe is waiting.

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Review:

“Starlight Express meets Trainspotting—as run through Reeve's fertile imagination. Imagine: a world where solar systems are connected by mysterious train tracks. Onboard, you can rocket light-years in an instant, planet to planet, although some are mined-out wastelands and all are controlled by corporate families now that the Guardians—godlike Old Earth artificial intelligence—stay in the Datasea. Petty thief Zen Starling doesn't think much of Guardians or corporate families; he does what he needs to to support his family. But when Raven, a strange pale man in a world where shades of brown are the norm for humanity, recruits him, Zen (with Motorik companion Nova, upgraded into an individual) finds himself impersonating a member of the Emperor's family, stealing an ancient treasure, and possibly inciting world war. Reeve's writing never flags, with moments of pathos and magic seamlessly interwoven. Dozens of characters collide—the sentient trains; the Motorik; the Emperor's daughter Threnody and her boring but stalwart betrothed; Hive Monks; the Railforce agent who has tracked Raven across lifetimes—each one nearly as fascinating as the world Reeve has created (don't miss the glossary at the end). As he did with the Mortal Engines series, Reeve has crafted something at once weirdly familiar and marvelously original. Thank the stars there's at least one sequel planned already. (Science fiction. 12 & up)” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Book Description:

� The latest, long-awaited novel from Philip Reeve, winner of the prestigious Carnegie Medal award � Incredibly original, fully-realized world of droids and space travel will instantly capture readers’ imagination � Rounded and diverse characters bring in complexity, heart, and humanity, creating emotionally resonant science fiction � Superb storytelling and thrilling action make for a gripping read

� The latest, long-awaited novel from Philip Reeve, winner of the prestigious Carnegie Medal award, now in paperback � Incredibly original, fully-realized world of droids and space travel will instantly capture readers’ imagination � Rounded and diverse characters bring in complexity, heart, and humanity, creating emotionally resonant science fiction � Superb storytelling and thrilling action make for a gripping read � Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus

� The latest, long-awaited novel from Philip Reeve, winner of the prestigious Carnegie Medal award � Incredibly original, fully-realized world of droids and space travel will instantly capture readers’ imagination � Rounded and diverse characters bring in complexity, heart, and humanity, creating emotionally resonant science fiction � Superb storytelling and thrilling action make for a gripping read

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